Hypericum japonicum
Hypericum japonicum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (5 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Hypericum japonicum is a botanical species recognized for its diverse range of therapeutic activities, including anthelmintic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties. The plant contains significant chemical compounds such as 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-4-prenylxanthone, 1,5,6-trihydroxyxanthone, 1,5-dihydroxyxanthone-6-O-beta-D-glucoside, and 6-deoxyisojacareubin. Various preparations, including the aerial part and ethyl acetate extracts like EAEHJ, are studied for their medicinal potential. These extracts have demonstrated efficacy in addressing serious health conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, infectious hepatitis, influenza, and liver cancer. Consequently, this plant serves as a valuable subject in pharmacological research due to its complex phytochemical profile.
- Synonyms
- Hypericum Japonicum Var. Simplicius · Reseda Chinensis · 51 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Hypericaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Not available
Classification
Common Names
Hypericum japonicum is a resilient plant widely recognized by its common name, matted St. John's-wort. This species is characterized by its creeping growth habit, which allows it to spread effectively across the ground. As a member of the Hypericum genus, it shares many botanical similarities with other well-known varieties of St. John's-wort. Gardeners often value this plant for its ability to create dense, lush groundcover in various landscapes. Understanding its relationship to its common name helps enthusiasts identify this charming botanical treasure in the wild.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Hypericum japonicum is a botanical species that has been classified under several different scientific names throughout history. Taxonomists have frequently referred to this plant using the synonym Ascyrum humifusum. It has also been identified within the Brathys genus, appearing in literature as Brathys cespitosa and Brathys debilis. Furthermore, the plant is linked to the specific variation Brathys cespitosa var. pusilla. Finally, the name Brathys humifusa serves as another recognized synonym for this complex species.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Hypericum japonicum is a distinct botanical specimen belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast kingdom, it is classified under the class Equisetopsida. The plant falls under the order Malpighiales, showcasing its specific evolutionary lineage. It is further categorized into the family Hypericaceae, which defines its biological characteristics. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Hypericum, marking its place in the natural world.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Family | Hypericaceae |
| Genus | Hypericum |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Hypericum japonicum is widely distributed across the temperate regions of Asia, with a particularly strong presence throughout China. Its range extends across diverse landscapes, stretching from the northern reaches of Manchuria down to the tropical environment of Hainan. Within the mainland, the species can be found thriving in the North-Central, South-Central, and Southeast provinces. This broad geographic footprint highlights the plant's ability to adapt to various regional climates. Consequently, understanding its widespread occurrence is essential for studying its ecological role across the continent.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Hypericum japonicum is a self-supporting herb characterized by its modest and compact growth form. This resilient plant typically maintains a low profile within its natural habitat. Depending on environmental conditions, its height can vary significantly, ranging from a mere 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.45 m. While it often stays quite small, many specimens reach a more substantial height of at least 0.3675 m. This flexibility in stature allows the species to adapt effectively to various ground-level niches.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Hypericum japonicum is a versatile medicinal plant recognized for its diverse range of therapeutic activities. Research indicates that it possesses significant antioxidant properties, supported by high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. The plant also demonstrates potent anthelmintic efficacy, showing the strongest activity among several studied medicinal species. Furthermore, its isolated compounds exhibit notable antibacterial effects against various bacterial strains. Finally, the plant displays significant antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities, particularly when tested against human tumor cell lines.
Compounds
Hypericum japonicum serves as a rich source of diverse phytochemical constituents, including various specialized xanthones and flavonoids. Detailed chemical analysis has confirmed that this plant contains the novel dimer xanthone known as bijaponicaxanthone. Furthermore, researchers have identified specific known compounds within the species, such as isojacereubin and 6-deoxyisojacareubin. The presence of these flavonoids and xanthones highlights the complex chemical profile of the plant's aerial parts. Ultimately, these identified relationships provide essential data for understanding the plant's potential biological activities and chemotaxonomic value.
Conditions
Hypericum japonicum demonstrates significant therapeutic potential by inducing apoptosis in H22 liver cancer cells through a mitochondria-dependent pathway. The plant's phenolic constituents also exhibit cytotoxic effects against the HEL cell line and the MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line. Historically, this medicinal herb has been utilized to treat both acute and chronic hepatitis. Furthermore, its extracts possess strong antibacterial activity, showing a minimum inhibitory concentration even lower than standard controls. These diverse biological activities highlight the plant's multifaceted role in addressing various pathological conditions.
Preparations
Hypericum japonicum is prepared as the aerial part to isolate various xanthone compounds. It is also prepared as an ethyl acetate extract, which is specifically referred to as EAEHJ in studies regarding its anti-carcinogenic effects. Furthermore, the plant is prepared as plant extracts to evaluate its diverse antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anthelmintic properties. These various extracts serve as the primary medium for investigating the bioactive potential of the species. Through these different preparations, the therapeutic and phytochemical characteristics of the plant are thoroughly explored.